Design

With the failure of the Seamew the United States Navy issued a new specification for a scouting floatplane in June 1942. On March 31, 1943, an order for two prototypes was placed with Curtiss.

Fuselage

In the rear of the fuselage a stretcher could be carried.

Bombs

Two 100 lb / 45 kg bombs could be carried in the central float.

When equipped with the ASH radar pod under the starboard wing for anti-submarine duties it could carry two 250 lb / 113 kg bombs under the port wing.

Prototype

The design of the SC-1 Seahawk was accepted on October 30, 1942, by the US Navy and on March 31, 1943, prototypes were ordered.

The XSC-1 prototype first flew on February 16, 1944.

Production

A contract was issued in March 1943. In June 1943 500 SC-1s were ordered.

The Seahawks were produced at Curtiss' Columbus, Ohio factory as land planes with fixed undercarriages. The floats were installed by the United States Navy for the ones that they wanted to be floatplanes.

Production was cancelled when Japan surrendered.

Curtiss XSC-1/A: 3

Curtiss SC-1: 563, 566

Curtiss SC-2: 9, 10

Total: 576

Manufacturer: Curtiss-Wright Corporation

Variants

Curtiss XSC-1: Prototype.

Curtiss SC-1: Deliveries began in October 1944.

Curtiss SC-2: Was powered by the Wright R01830-76 Cyclone engine (1,425 HP). It had a clear view canopy, altered fin and rudder, and a jump seat behind the pilot.